Saugeen Shores is examining how its water and wastewater systems will need to change to support future growth.
The municipality has launched one environmental assessment focused on additional treated-water storage and another examining wet-weather pressures at the Port Elgin wastewater treatment plant.
Mayor Luke Charbonneau said the work is about preparing infrastructure before additional capacity is needed.
"This is really about Saugeen Shores looking out into the future and making sure that we have everything we need to provide those services in the way that the public expects," Charbonneau said.
The municipal drinking-water system serves more than 11,000 people in Port Elgin, Southampton, MacGregor Point Provincial Park and Saugeen First Nation #29.
A recent master plan found that more treated-water storage will be required to serve the existing population and anticipated development.
The town will consider a new storage facility, changes to existing infrastructure or a combination of both.
Charbonneau said the study does not mean the community is facing an immediate shortage.
"It isn’t urgent. It’s necessary that we do it, but there’s no emergency or anything like that," he said. "We’re able to meet those demands today, and we’re planning to make sure we can meet them in the future."
The second assessment is focused on the Port Elgin wastewater treatment plant.
While the plant has enough average treatment capacity for the current planning period, heavy rain and groundwater entering the sewer system can cause flows to rise sharply.
The town says those peak flows can place pressure on several treatment processes.
Charbonneau added the municipality must consider that problem alongside the wastewater that will be produced by new homes and development.
"As those two things happen in tandem, large storm events and the growth of the community, we’re going to need to make sure the treatment plant has the capacity to handle all of that," he said.
The assessment will identify possible upgrades, but no construction project or location has been selected.
Charbonneau pointed out that future work will likely cause some localized disruption, particularly where roads must be opened to reach underground pipes.
"We own this infrastructure as a community. We have to maintain it as a community," he said. "That means every now and again, we’re going to dig up a street and put new pipes in."
The town says it will try to limit traffic and construction impacts once the required projects are known.
Residents will have an opportunity to comment on both studies.
A public information session on the Port Elgin wastewater plant will be held August 11, 2026 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Rotary Hall in the Plex.
Comments on the drinking-water storage study are being accepted until August 18.
Charbonneau said public input is an important part of deciding how the municipality should proceed.
"Members of the public all have unique perspectives on the community and what we need to be doing in the future," he said.
